299 rockfall events detected at Mayon Volcano

MANILA, Philippines — State volcanologists have monitored seven dome-collapse pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and 299 rockfall events at Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday slow effusion of lava continued from the summit crater and settled at the Mi-isi Gully in Daraga and Bonga Gully in Legazpi City.

The lava flows stretched to a maximum distance of 2,500 and 1,800 meters from Mi-isi and Bonga, respectively.

The PDCs lasted three minutes, with the collapsed debris deposited some 3,300 meters away from the crater.

Phivolcs said two volcanic earthquakes were recorded as continued degassing produced steam-laden plumes that rose 800 meters high.

Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 507 tons on Tuesday.

Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Mayon, which means that the volcano is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days is possible.

Phivolcs recommended evacuation of residents living within the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone due to risks posed by the PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards.

Heavy rainfall over the volcano may trigger channel-confined lahar and sediment-laden streamflow.

Phivolcs resident volcanologist Paul Alanis based at the Lignon Hill Observatory in Legazpi City said debris collapsing from the spewed lava had settled 3,300 meters away from the crater of the volcano.

“These debris are parts of lava flows that detach while rolling downslope. These are accumulating at the deeper portions of major and minor gullies,” Alanis told The STAR yesterday.

He said visual observation of Mayon appears as if lava is rolling down a flat surface.

“The fact is these volcanic materials are traversing along rough and rugged terrain of the slopes. Fragments travel faster than other debris depending on the inclines of the slopes from where these materials are rolling,” Alanis explained when asked why volcanic materials do not drop simultaneously when the volcano is viewed at night.

He said that as of yesterday, Mayon was not showing any sign of decreasing unrest as abnormal parameters remain at high-baseline values, particularly the rockfall events and PDCs.

Evacuees

The government has so far spent more than P73.9 million for the evacuees.

The number of affected families has reached 10,171 or 39,057 people as of Wednesday.

Of the figure, 5,466 families or 18,899 people are staying in eight evacuation centers.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Mayon has affected 26 barangays in Bicol.

Apart from financial assistance and food, distilled water, empty drums, family food packs and family kits have been distributed in evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC said that families were given tents, fuel, food for farm animals, hygiene kits, rice, sleeping kits and other basic needs.

Citing data from the Department of Health (DOH), the NDRRMC earlier reported that more than 600 evacuees have contracted common illnesses such as cough and colds.

The NDRRMC said such cases are being validated and addressed by health personnel, who have been going around evacuation sites.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda thanked President Marcos for ensuring that the government would continue to supply the evacuees with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.

Salceda said Albay needs sustained support from all sectors, particularly from the government as he does not expect the volcano to calm down soon.

“For extended stay in evacuation centers, sanitation concerns will compound and the lack of WASH facilities compounds other risks including disease,” Salceda said.

“Cleanliness is central to Filipino dignity. That’s why we are very thankful that the President has given assurance of support for these facilities in evacuation centers,” he added.

He said Albay lawmakers at the House of Representatives would continue to work to secure necessary funding for facilities. – Michael Punongbayan, Delon Porcalla, Mark Ernest Villeza